Avery Bradley is being traded to the Pistons

[kozlodoev]

I don't worry too much about losing AB's rebounding. If Gordon and JB are playing the 2 and the 3, that should be an improvement on rebounding from those positions, or at worst treading water. JB, when he puts his mind to it, is a better rebounder than AB.

Bradley, as a SG, averaged more rebounds than Hayward as a SF last season. This is a definitive loss.

That's skewing for convenience, no? Gordon played next to an elite rebounding big in Gobert. Avery had no such luxury, rebounding was there for the taking last season on the C's.

FWIW: In the playoffs last season, Gordon averaged 6.1 rebounds to Avery's 3.9.

Sure. He also played SF, which is a position that typically plays closer to the basket on defense.

That point is moot, though, because he isn't playing SG for us. The bottom line is that we downgraded rebounding at the SG position, and have done nothing to address this yet. Hayward/Morris and Crowder/Amir is pretty much a wash in terms of rebounding. So

[Scintan]

Terrible trade

That doesn't mean it won't work out, but it's still a terrible trade.

If it works out will it still be a terrible trade?

Yes

As I said during the trade of the #1 pick, sometimes you lose a trade and still win in the long run.  That's what Ainge is hoping for here.

In a vacuum, you're probably right. AB is a more valuable player.

But, two years of Morris at PF is fair value for one year of AB at SG.

I disagree.  This team had a grand total of one fully rounded player who was a plus defender.  That number is now down to zero.  Getting a superfluous player, who's an absolute mediocrity, and giving up a pick for the privilege, does not come close to evening out the deal.

Ideally Smart and Brown can become 2-way players and while Jae declined a lot defensively last year id still say he's a positive both ways.

• Brown can't dribble or pass
  Smart can't shoot
  Bradley was the team's best defensive player

Good luck.

As for me, I'm just going to hope that improvement elsewhere is enough to make up for the huge hole that just opened up on the team, because what this team has done is gone from having a 3 man squad with inconsistent offense (Thomas/Horford/Bradley) to .....  having a 3 man squad with poorer defense (Thomas/Horford/Hayward), and it's at least arguable that they've actually taken a step back in that area.

Bradley also can't dribble or pass.

Frankly wasn't a good team defender and was fragile.

Really good player and we take a hit defensively but Bradley was no superstar.

Ainge got robbed.  I'm sure he knows he got robbed, and he's probably been cussing out Indiana (in his mind) for putting him in this position.  No doubt, he's hoping his other moves, and internal player development, make up for it.

[Smitty77]

I don't worry too much about losing AB's rebounding. If Gordon and JB are playing the 2 and the 3, that should be an improvement on rebounding from those positions, or at worst treading water. JB, when he puts his mind to it, is a better rebounder than AB.

Bradley, as a SG, averaged more rebounds than Hayward as a SF last season. This is a definitive loss.

That's skewing for convenience, no? Gordon played next to an elite rebounding big in Gobert. Avery had no such luxury, rebounding was there for the taking last season on the C's.

FWIW: In the playoffs last season, Gordon averaged 6.1 rebounds to Avery's 3.9.

Sure. He also played SF, which is a position that typically plays closer to the basket on defense.

That point is moot, though, because he isn't playing SG for us. The bottom line is that we downgraded rebounding at the SG position, and have done nothing to address this yet. Hayward/Morris and Crowder/Amir is pretty much a wash in terms of rebounding. So

Do you really and seriously think Danny is done Koz?  If so, what gives you that idea?  Do you not think that he sees our deficiencies?  AB had an unusual year in rebounding.  He likely will return to his norm!!  Did you want to pay AB $23 to 25 million on his next deal?

Smitty77

[JBcat]

Not that it matters a whole lot but do we still need to waive Mickey and Jackson after this trade to sign Hayward to the max? I haven't read anything about that.

[kozlodoev]

Do you really and seriously think Danny is done Koz?  If so, what gives you that idea?

He's done until he isn't. To an extent, it doesn't only depend on him.

Do you not think that he sees our deficiencies?

He saw our deficiencies last season, and he even acknowledged that publicly. Then he chose to do nothing, because chemistry and skill. I'm not sure we gained much by getting plastered on the glass. It's also worth noting that he has no problem letting chemistry and skill out the door this offseason, so there's that. 

Did you want to pay AB $23 to 25 million on his next deal?

All I wanted was to say that a year of Bradley is likely more valuable than two years of Marcus Morris.

I would have much rather dangled Smart and/or Crowder for a better return, knowing that I have some modicum of leverage in holding the Pistons deal in our pocket as a last resort in opening cap for Hayward.

[BitterJim]

Not that it matters a whole lot but do we still need to waive Mickey and Jackson after this trade to sign Hayward to the max? I haven't read anything about that.

Yes.  We need to decline the nonguaranteed year on Mickey's contract (simple), but I think we still need to trade Jackson away for no returning salary (not so simple)

[Sophomore]

I don't worry too much about losing AB's rebounding. If Gordon and JB are playing the 2 and the 3, that should be an improvement on rebounding from those positions, or at worst treading water. JB, when he puts his mind to it, is a better rebounder than AB.

Bradley, as a SG, averaged more rebounds than Hayward as a SF last season. This is a definitive loss.

That's skewing for convenience, no? Gordon played next to an elite rebounding big in Gobert. Avery had no such luxury, rebounding was there for the taking last season on the C's.

FWIW: In the playoffs last season, Gordon averaged 6.1 rebounds to Avery's 3.9.

Sure. He also played SF, which is a position that typically plays closer to the basket on defense.

That point is moot, though, because he isn't playing SG for us. The bottom line is that we downgraded rebounding at the SG position, and have done nothing to address this yet. Hayward/Morris and Crowder/Amir is pretty much a wash in terms of rebounding. So

Whoa. Morris is a really, really bad rebounder. Amir, poor as he was for a center, was still *much* better than MM last year (12.7% TRB to 7.8%(!)). That's the rebounding problem.

As for rebounding from the 2, Gordon *may* represent a small drop-off, though that's debatable. But I really have my doubts he's going to be playing the 2. What if he is at the 3, where he rebounds almost as well as Crowder (TRB of 9.0 vs. 9.9), and JB replaces Avery at the 2. JB should rebound AT LEAST as well as AB, most likely better. Especially if his offensive obligations are limited, JB's athleticism, length, and drive make him a better rebounder - remember the playoffs last year?

[kozlodoev]

Whoa. Morris is a really, really bad rebounder. Amir, poor as he was for a center, was still *much* better than MM last year (12.7% TRB to 7.8%(!)). That's the rebounding problem.

Well, Morris is largely a SF, so this means his TR% is lower just because he will often be caught away from the basket on defense.

But no, he's not great. If he ends up being the starting PF, it will not be pretty.

[kraidstar]

AB was the last player from the Pierce/KG era.

We will miss you, my man

 

[kraidstar]

I'm gonna bet the Jazz fans aren't too happy this afternoon.

After their treatment of our players yesterday it's hard feeling sorry for them though.

[kraidstar]

Avery Bradley contract: $8M

big screen TV + cable subscription: $600

Watching Bradley shut up 20,000 Cavs fans: effing priceless

[CELTICSofBOSTON]

I thought more people would like the deal.

Avery is great but Marcus Morris is not a bum by no means.

He is a good player on a fantastic contract.

When you have 3 max contracts, you need contracts like Morris' and Crowder's, and also rookie contracts who can produce like Rozier, Brown, Tatum, and Zizic hopefully will be able to.

Very good move by Danny. Gonna miss Avery.

[Valid]

Terrible trade

That doesn't mean it won't work out, but it's still a terrible trade.

If it works out will it still be a terrible trade?

Yes

As I said during the trade of the #1 pick, sometimes you lose a trade and still win in the long run.  That's what Ainge is hoping for here.

In a vacuum, you're probably right. AB is a more valuable player.

But, two years of Morris at PF is fair value for one year of AB at SG.

I disagree.  This team had a grand total of one fully rounded player who was a plus defender.  That number is now down to zero.  Getting a superfluous player, who's an absolute mediocrity, and giving up a pick for the privilege, does not come close to evening out the deal.

Ideally Smart and Brown can become 2-way players and while Jae declined a lot defensively last year id still say he's a positive both ways.

• Brown can't dribble or pass
  Smart can't shoot
  Bradley was the team's best defensive player

Good luck.

As for me, I'm just going to hope that improvement elsewhere is enough to make up for the huge hole that just opened up on the team, because what this team has done is gone from having a 3 man squad with inconsistent offense (Thomas/Horford/Bradley) to .....  having a 3 man squad with poorer defense (Thomas/Horford/Hayward), and it's at least arguable that they've actually taken a step back in that area.

Bradley also can't dribble or pass, and Smart is a better defender than Bradley. It's not that close, either.

[Forza Juventus]

FWIW Zach Lowe likes the trade for Boston

[mctyson]

The trade makes sense. Bradley was gone after this season anyway I guess. Longest tenured Celtic, last player from the Big 3 era. Kind of sad

Yes, it is very sad to see AB go.

However, I have been following the news and the thoughts on the trade all day (here and elsewhere) and I think this about as good of a result as we could have expected from an AB trade at this point.

He is a 1-year rental.  We saw what Paul George brought back for being the same.  The Celtics actually got more financial flexibility by taking less salary back, for a player who at least fits a need.  Further Morris' contract is easily movable again given how cap-friendly it is.

The other things I take away from this deal are that (a) AB was definitely going to Indiana for Paul George, if that trade happened, and most importantly (b) Danny came to the conclusion some time ago that they could not afford to resign AB and IT together, along with Hayward.  In a world where Jrue Holiday makes near $30M per year, Avery will definitely be north of $20M and honestly could command $25M.   The Cs simply could not commit $55M+ per year to a Bradley and IT backcourt for 3-4 years.  However much I wanted to believe that Wyc would pony up the tax money for that, it was wishful thinking.

Now I do believe that had the Hayward signing fallen through, Danny might have used the space to resign AB and IT.  That was probably Plan C or Plan D for the cap space.

I will miss seeing AB in Celtic green.  But weird is what you get in the NBA.